📢 Beware of New Crypto Scams Using Deepfake Technology

A Russian tech company #FACCT has uncovered new crypto scams using deepfakes.

Here’s what’s happening:
🔸 Scammers are creating fake videos and audio of famous people like President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Tucker Carlson.
🔸 These deepfakes are used in ads to promote fake crypto exchanges.
3 Major #Scam Tactics Identified:

1️⃣ Fake Exchanges: Victims send tokens to fake wallets and lose their assets.
2️⃣ Crypto Predators: Scammers use malicious links to steal wallet access.
3️⃣ Scam Tokens: Coins you can buy but can’t sell.

Deepfake scams in #crypto are becoming more advanced. In 2024, even Google warned about fake AI speeches promoting investments. Earlier this year, a fake YouTube live stream used Elon Musk’s AI voice to mislead investors.

Crypto-friendly moves by Trump:
President-elect Trump has shown support for crypto, promising a national Bitcoin reserve and plans to appoint pro-crypto leaders to key regulatory positions.

⚠️ Stay safe: Always double-check links, platforms, and opportunities. Don’t trust unverified ads or offers.

This post is for information only. Do your own research before investing!

Cryptocurrencies offer immense investment potential, but finding legitimate projects with high returns can be challenging. Many investors fall victim to scams and rug pulls, resulting in significant financial losses. Here's a list of 10 essential tools that can help you identify legitimate projects, stay safe, find legit projects and make informed decisions.
1) PeckShield Alert
Peckshield’s “AegisWeb3” Chrome extension is a user-friendly tool that searches for phishing scams, rug pulls, and blacklisted addresses. It provides real-time notifications to keep users updated on potential risks.

2) RugDoc IO
RugDoc IO conducts comprehensive checks on smart contracts, projects, liquidity farms, and NFTs. Their audits are ranked by risk level, offering a breakdown of vulnerabilities and security issues discovered.

3) Pocket Universe
Pocket Universe is a Web3 browser extension that detects malicious transactions, fake websites, phishing scams, and honeypots. It provides users with detailed information on each transaction or contract, enabling better understanding and safer decision-making.

4) Scam Sniffer
Scam Sniffer is a Web3 monitoring tool that scans for malicious links, verifies the source of funds, and provides a firewall for added protection. It offers both an API and a browser extension for comprehensive security measures.

5) Dex Screener
Dex Screener is a powerful tool that provides real-time charts for various tokens in the crypto market. Its contract scanner feature offers a comprehensive overview of key data, allowing users to make informed decisions before investing. Paste contract address of any crypto you want to track and you will get more information about those coins or tokens.

6) Dex Tools
Similar to Dex Screener, Dex Tools is a real-time chart provider for multiple token chains, including Ethereum, Arbitrum, Polygon, and BNB Chain. In addition to real-time charts, Dex Tools offers essential information about tokens, such as Project Reliability Score, Community Votes, Contract Details, and integration with third-party scanners. I personally like Dex Tools more than Dex Screener

7) Arkham Intel
Arkham Intel facilitates in-depth analysis of token distribution, sales, and balance history. By detecting wallet concentration in a token, investors can anticipate potential dumps that may impact retail investors. Once you start learning to use Arkham Intelligence tool, you will be addicted!

8) Chain Abuse
Chain Abuse provides up-to-date reports on scams occurring in the Web3 space. This tool aids in due diligence for potential projects, allowing users to learn from the experiences of others who may have encountered similar issues.

9) Revoke Cash
Revoke Cash offers a solution for managing permissions on most Web3 wallets. This is essential for maintaining proper “wallet hygiene” and safeguarding funds in the event of a hack. By revoking permissions, users can ensure that hackers do not gain access to their funds.

10) DeDotFi
DeDotFi offers web3 security software, functioning as an antivirus program for the cryptosphere. It identifies and alerts users about honeypots, vulnerabilities, and potential risks associated with tokens. Their tool is good, but recently they are being accused of extending their token launch several times. Their action was fishy! So, don't fall into their token sale. Just use the tool, if you like it, then continue.

While selecting the right tokens is crucial for wealth generation in the crypto market, preserving capital is equally important. The 10 tools mentioned above are essential for identifying legitimate projects, avoiding scams, and protecting your investments. It is crucial to utilize these tools effectively and conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions.

By staying informed and employing these tools, you can become a smarter investor in the cryptocurrency space. Do you have any tools that is worth mentioning in this list?

#Scam #Scams #Tools&Analysis

Scammers drained $3 million in crypto from victims this Christmas using fake websites promoted on Google ads. Image by Fareed Mindalano, DALL-E 3.
A new report reveals that scammers stole over $3 million in cryptocurrency from victims this holiday season using fake crypto websites promoted through Google Ads.
The scammers created fraudulent versions of popular crypto platforms like Zapper, Lido, and DefiLlama and used Google’s advertising system to direct victims to their fake sites.
another victim lost $653K worth of WBTC, USDC, and WETH to phishing scams about 12 minutes ago.https://t.co/h7BujlL4Sb https://t.co/dsj0mE7Px4 pic.twitter.com/a3GhHEUGot
Once on the phony websites, victims were tricked into approving malicious transactions that drained their crypto wallets into the scammers’ accounts.
This scheme, known as a wallet draining scam, takes advantage of the token approval process on blockchains like Ethereum. The scammers used a service called MS Drainer to automate and enforce the unauthorized withdrawals.
According to blockchain security firm Scam Sniffer’s report on December 21, the scammers evaded Google’s ad screening practices by using regional targeting and frequently switching landing pages.
This allowed their ads to slip past Google’s auditing systems designed to detect phishing scams.
The report identified over 10,000 fraudulent sites connected to the MS Drainer service, with activity peaking in November.
MS Drainer Service Enables Widespread Crypto Scams Through Google Ads

In total, MS Drainer has siphoned nearly $60 million in crypto from over 63,000 victims since March 2023.
The service was marketed on hacking forums for a flat fee of $1,499, allowing anyone willing to pay to launch their own wallet-draining scam. Additional features could be unlocked for $699 to $999.
The developer of MS Drainer pioneered an unusual sales model compared to other wallet drainers. Instead of taking a percentage of profits, MS Drainer charged fixed upfront fees to scammers.
This enabled the developer to earn substantial revenue while exposing third-party scammers to all the risks of getting caught and prosecuted.
Rampant Threats in Decentralized Finance Require Heightened Vigilance

This recent $3 million crypto phishing scam exploiting Google Ads is part of an alarming spike in wallet-draining hacking attacks within decentralized finance.
Just last month, the notorious Inferno draining tool was retired after allegedly stealing over $80 million in crypto funds.
Earlier in March, the Monkey Drainer service likewise bowed out after siphoning an estimated $13 million.
As cryptocurrency adoption grows, hackers are employing increasingly sophisticated techniques involving social engineering and technical exploits. Investors must remain vigilant against phishing and only utilize trusted platforms to manage their cryptocurrencies.
The onus is also on digital advertising leaders like Google to enhance security measures that better detect and combat crypto scams at scale.
Ultimately, this latest brazen heist ruthlessly targeting victims during the holidays serves as a stark reminder that cybercriminals will stop at nothing to steal cryptocurrencies.
#Scam

Crypto romance scams are becoming increasingly common, targeting both new and experienced investors. These scams often start with a seemingly innocent message or an unexpected friendship request, gradually leading to discussions about investments, usually in cryptocurrency.
Here's what to watch out for:
🔍 Red Flags to Consider:
Quick Attachment: Scammers often express strong emotions early on to gain your trust.Anonymity: They may refuse to meet in person or video chat, always finding excuses.Investment Talk: Eventually, the conversation shifts to investments, especially in crypto, and they may suggest using unfamiliar platforms.
📉 What Happens Next?
Initial Success: You might be encouraged to invest a small amount and even see some returns to build your confidence.The Big Loss: As you invest more, it becomes increasingly difficult to withdraw your funds. Some victims are asked to pay additional fees or taxes, only to lose everything in the end.
❗ Stay Safe:
Be cautious when someone online asks for money or crypto, even if they seem genuine.Always use trusted and reputable platforms for any investment.If you suspect something is off, block and report the person.
Staying informed and vigilant can help you avoid falling into these traps. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
#CryptoSafety #RomanceScam #Scam #ScamAware #ScamAlert